Review - Souled by Diana Murdock

Title: Souled

Author: Diana Murdock

Series: Stand Alone (possible series?)

Pages: 253

Published: June 22nd 2012 by BreakFree Press

ISBN: 9780615647876

Source: Author for honest review

Description: What 17-year-old boy wouldn’t be tempted by the promise of power and control - no matter what form that promise came in?  Seth knew exactly what he would do with power and control. He’d be well on his way to a wrestling scholarship, his dad could stop working so hard to make ends meet, and he’d forever have the heart of his girlfriend, Sandpoint High’s most beautiful girl. For Seth, the temptation was much too strong to resist. And why should he? The way he saw it, he had everything to gain.  But when he unknowingly invites another soul to share his body, Seth discovers that not all power is good – especially when it was never his to wield. And when the soul reveals its true intentions, will Seth have the strength to fight it or would death be less painful?

I Give This ...

Isn't it funny how one little detail about a book will make you want to read it.  What was it in this one?  That fact that it's set in Sandpoint, Idaho.  Most people probably have never heard of this little town in northern Idaho.  But, I have several friends from there, so I jumped on it.  I'm so happy I did!

This turned out to be a story that I wasn't expecting.  Seth was a really great lead character.  He's not perfect.  He wants more than what he has.  I never felt like he was ungrateful.  It was more like he was afraid those around him would suddenly realize they could do better than him.   I could totally see how a teenager like him would be intrigued by an add promising power and control.  Someone could possibly buy it as a joke.  I liked how he fought the soul when it came to complete possession.  It shows the true natural of his spirit.  He should have believed in himself to begin with!  I also liked his girlfriend.  I'm not usually one for he/she's the one relationships in high school.  But, every once in awhile it works.  It does here. 

The lore surrounding the spirit was really interesting.  I liked how it could be traced back through history (although it felt a little convenient).  It was a very good set up and completely believable when it comes to magic and mythology.  The ending left the book open for a series, but also leaves it wrapped up in case the author decides not to.

 

Review - Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

Title: Insurgent

Author: Veronica Roth

Series: 2nd (Divergent)

Pages: 525

Published: May 1st 2012 by HarperTeen 

ISBN: 9780007442911

Source: Library

Description: One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.  Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

I Give This ...

Wow there's a lot to digest in this book.  The book moves forward so fast that sometimes it's hard to digest what's really happening.

I was intrigued by the progression of Tris's character in this book.  She seems bound and determined to prove that she's Dauntless all the way through.  While I don't necessarily agree with Four's assessment that she completely disregards her own life, I think she thinks she needs to be the ones to save them all.  She has the uncanny ability to access the situation and come up with a course of action before anybody else.  I think that why it seems like she has little concern for her own safety.   I was a little disappointed in Four throughout this novel.  While I appreciate the romance, it's almost like Four developed the male mentality.  Tris needed saved and was going to be the one to do it.  Never mind that she's fully capable of taking care of herself.  I think part of it stems from the fact that he is so afraid to lose her.

The first novel gave us a good glimpse of  the factions Abnegation and of course Dauntless.  I feel like we get a good look at the other three is this book.  It's interesting to see how each faction differs both in structure and how they treat each other.  I think it truly shows how and why Erudite was able to incite a war between the factions.  They will also stop at nothing to insure total compliance and control.  We also learn about the factionless throughout this book.  I had no idea that they were so big in number and way more organized than we thought.  Also a huge surprise when we learn who their "leader" is.  She's not very found of Tris either.  

Tris really does endure a lot throughout this book.  Her belief in herself is put to the test repeatedly.  She must decide how far she's willing to go to save not only her own factions, but possibly others as well.  She endures torture and the utmost betrayal.  I was amazed in the end that she's just as determined as ever.   She takes everything into stride and marches forward.  The truth she learns at the end of the story will only drive her more.  She will find the end to all of this.   And I can't wait to discover how she does it! 

Review - Kissing Shakespeare by Pamela Mingle

Title: Kissing Shakespeare

Author: Pamela Mingle

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 352

Published: August 14th 2012 by Random House

ISBN:  9780385741965

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: Miranda has Shakespeare in her blood: she hopes one day to become a Shakespearean actor like her famous parents. At least, she does until her disastrous performance in her school's staging of The Taming of the Shrew. Humiliated, Miranda skips the opening-night party. All she wants to do is hide.  Fellow cast member, Stephen Langford, has other plans for Miranda. When he steps out of the backstage shadows and asks if she'd like to meet Shakespeare, Miranda thinks he's a total nutcase. But before she can object, Stephen whisks her back to 16th century England—the world Stephen's really from. He wants Miranda to use her acting talents and modern-day charms on the young Will Shakespeare. Without her help, Stephen claims, the world will lose its greatest playwright. Miranda isn't convinced she's the girl for the job. Why would Shakespeare care about her? And just who is this infuriating time traveler, Stephen Langford? Reluctantly, she agrees to help, knowing that it's her only chance of getting back to the present and her "real" life. What Miranda doesn't bargain for is finding true love . . . with no acting required.

I Give This ...

I'm a big Shakespeare fan.  So that idea that someone could go back in time and potentially influence him into become the great playwright that he is, well of course I will read it!  Sadly, it wasn't all that I had hoped.

I think that best thing about this book was that I really liked Miranda.  She's not a confident character is the slightest.  She doubts herself and her abilities.  She questions Stephen relentlessly on why she's the one that needs to go back in time and save Shakespeare.  She doesn't think she's important enough to warrant the choice. I think it comes back to how she thinks her parents feel about her.  She think she's not good enough and that she will never be as good as an actress as her mother.  It's her way of sabotaging herself before she even starts.  I think the entire book is really about Miranda learning to believe in herself.

Stephan is an strange part of this story.  I both liked and disliked him.  I liked him because I think he truly helped Miranda in how she saw herself.  Since he knew very little about her parents and really only knew her (both in her time period and in the past), he was able to see her true worth.  He really bugged me when it came to how he felt Miranda should save Shakespeare from the priesthood.  He stereotypically believed that all girls from present day are willing to sleep with whoever.  Drove me crazy that he thought that would be the answer for Shakespeare.  There are so many things wrong with that thought that I would even begin to discuss.

One thing kept popping up in the story that always makes me think concerning time travel novels.  Miranda quotes Shakespeare's own words to him frequently.   It's often from plays and sonnets he hasn't completed yet.  So, does Shakespeare influence Miranda....or does Miranda influence Shakespeare.  It's really a mind boggling question.

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. Click on the picture to be taken to Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

Read Last Week:

• Seeds of Rebellion by Brandon Mull
• Far Out Cafe by Stuart Chambers (Did Not Finish)
• Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter
• Caribbean Romance by Leigh Morano

Currently Reading:

• The Second Empress by Michelle Moran

Up This Week:

• The Forsaken by Lisa  M. Stasse
• Emerald Isle by Kate Hinderer

In My Mailbox

For Review:

• Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter (Around The World Tours)
• The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa (Harlequin Teen and Netgalley)

Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!  It's hosted by Tynga's Reviews!

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren and she was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie!

Review - Nyphron Rising (The Riyria Revelations #3) by Michael J. Sullivan

Title: Nyphron Rising

Author: Michael J. Sullivan

Series: 3rd (The Crown Conspiracy, Avempartha)

Pages: 346

Published: October 17th 2009 by Ridan Publishing 

ISBN:  9780979621147

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: War has come to Melengar. To save her realm, Princess Arista must reach the leader of the Nationalists and convince him to join forces. She turns to two trusted mercenaries to provide escort, but finds the team on the verge of dissolution.  Hadrian is tired of his lecherous profession and longs for a just cause. Royce knows a secret which could provide his partner a life’s purpose greater than anything his friend could imagine…but is it true? Or is an ancient wizard using them as pawns in his own struggle for power? To unravel the truth Royce convinces Hadrian to join him for one last mission—what they discover could change the future for all of Elan. 

I Give This ...

What's hard about giving this book a 3 rating is that I know how vital it is to the rest of the series.  There's a lot of information buried within the storyline.  Things that you know will be important and you need to pay attention to.

There are parts of this story that stand out.  I found that I really enjoy Princess Arista.  She's forced to really venture outside of her comfort realm in this book.  She goes against her brothers wishes and sets out to make a treaty with the Nationalist on her own.  She encounters people who think a Princess is the ultimate prize.  She also discovers that she can tap into magic she didn't really know that she had.  She finds a just cause that she can really believe in and maybe finds love along the way.  She's goes to extremes that you don't really imagine a  Princess ever even having to think about.  And amazingly she's knows just how lucky she is to be were she is.  She's humble, gracious, and many other qualities you would want to see in a ruler.

I think I had a hard time with Royce and Hadrian.  I know that Hadrian has been having a hard time with their line of work.  But, it seems like his attitude is a bit of a drastic leap from were we were at the end of book two.    I miss the carefree interactions between the two.  I'm hoping that a new found purpose will bring the old Hadrian back.  I do enjoy learning more about who Royce is.  It seems like know that we know his true heritage, it seems so obvious.

I was a little surprised at the turn of events leading surrounding Thrace.  I didn't see her a the puppet leader that they were expecting, but I was not expecting this.  I like how her Lady in Waiting handled everything, especially since she was a lowly servant before.  I think the two will have plenty in common and I'm intrigued to see what Thrace will do.

I'm also curious about the twist in the end.  I have no idea how the story is going to play out yet so that wasn't what I was expecting.  I'll be getting to the next installment soon that's for sure!

Gust Post with Kate Hinderer author of Emerald Isle

I'm pleased to have Kate Hinderer, author of Emerald Isle and Aurora Undefined, here at the blog.  

Hi. I’m author Kate Hinderer and I’m lucky enough to be guest posting for the day as part of the blog book tour for The Emerald Isle. This book is part paranormal, part contemporary fiction and has adventure, romance, suspense, and a whole lot of sand.

For today’s post I thought to feature my favorite classic reads. If I’m honest there are a lot of classics that I have never read. I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve never ready War and Peace or Great Expectations. Still, there are some great old school books out there – great even if school makes you read them! 

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy – I loved this story before it was cool to like it, with the upcoming movie. To me, the best part about this story is the contrast that exists between the good and bad choices. It illustrates in a most graphic way what happens with the decisions we make.

The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas – I actually really liked The Count of Monte Cristo when I read it. But since it is so commonly known, I thought I’d list this smaller, lesser known work. The story of two men trying to grow a black tulip and the love and intrigue that happens as a result is captivating.

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux – Sure, the movie is great. The soundtrack is oh so dramatic. But the book is even better. You feel for the phantom and the life he has to endure. It’s wonderfully tragic.

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell – This was the first and only book my father ever took away from me! He found me reading it several nights in a row instead of doing my homework. As a result he confiscated it for two weeks until I had my priorities straight again. I just couldn’t get enough of Scarlet and her selfishness. And while, most people hated the ending I thought it was epically awesome!

My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok – There was something in this book that struck me at the very core of my being. The main character wars between a talent he was born with and a religion that tells him it is wrong. His inner turmoil is astounding.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte – This was the first assigned reading book for school that I actually enjoyed and read through without waiting for the assignment dates. There is something abut Jane’s character – her ordinariness, her virtue, her love – that had me flipping each page wanting more.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte – I’m a huge fan of dark novels and this one is the ultimate! There is something so disturbing and so romantic about a love that can never be that still calls to the person from the grave.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – This book and its themes struck me long after I read the last page. The way the story dealt with childhood, race relations and a rape was beautiful and striking. 

Title: Emerald Isle

To escape a bad break-up and fighting parents Audyn takes a job as a lifeguard at Fascination Island. The posh five-star resort lives up to its name in every way, including the strange rules the owner has about entering the water at night. Despite declaring it a boy-free summer, it isn’t long before the shy, endearing Levi and the mysterious, tattooed Tristan begin vying for her attention. When Levi tries to push his advantage and Tristan comes to the rescue, Audyn realizes there is more to both these boys and the island they inhabit. Suddenly, she’s forced to acknowledge a reality she’d never considered and to pick a side in the conflict that has been waging for decades